Chapter 778

Jasmine's voice bubbled with excitement. "Wow! You and Dad really are together!" Charlene paused, sidestepping the comment entirely. "Why are you up so late?"

"I'm about to go to sleep. But Mom, don't forget our promise! We're having dinner together as soon as you and Dad get back."

"I haven't forgotten," Charlene said softly. "It's late. You need to go to bed."

"Okay, good night, Mom." Jasmine paused, then added, "Tell Dad good night for me too! I'm too tired to say it twice."

With that, Jasmine hung up.

Charlene stared at the screen for a second before handing the phone back to Thorne. She completely ignored Jasmine's request to wish him good night.

Thorne took the phone, clearly having heard the whole exchange. "Minnie saw us on the live broadcast and assumed we were staying in the same room. She wouldn't stop bugging me until I let her call you."

"I figured."

He didn't have to explain. She knew he would never voluntarily tell Jasmine they were at the same event.

He hated unnecessary complications.

Thorne gave a brief nod. Without another word, he offered a curt "Good night" and turned down the hall.

Charlene shut the door and went straight to bed.

The next afternoon, Charlene, Stewart, Thorne, and Gaylord all boarded the same flight back to Starfall City.

To make matters worse, all four of their seats were clustered together.

Throughout the flight, Charlene naturally chatted with Stewart and Gaylord. Thorne, true to form, didn't utter a single word to any of them.

They touched down in Starfall City just before four o'clock.

Since she had promised to have dinner with Jasmine, Charlene parted ways with Stewart and Gaylord and hopped into a cab.

As she pulled away, she noticed Thorne sliding into the sleek car sent to pick him up.

Nearly an hour later, they arrived at the restaurant. Jasmine was already waiting in a private room.

Charlene and Thorne reached the entrance at the exact same time.

They walked side-by-side toward the restaurant, completely silent.

Suddenly, Charlene slowed her pace.

Thorne noticed and stopped, looking back at her. "What is it?"

She frowned, but shook her head and kept walking.

Jasmine had been bored out of her mind all weekend and desperately missed them. The moment they walked in her face lit up, and she threw herself at Charlene Mom!"

Charlene ruffled the girl's hair and hugged her tightly. "Did you order yet?"

Thorne closed the door behind them and took the seat next to Jasmine.

Jasmine glued herself to Charlene's side. After picking their food, an idea popped into her head. "Mom, if you were going there to win an award Why didn'tyou and Dad tell me? could've gone with you and clapped for you from the audience

There were a million reasons why she couldn't go.

But...

Thorne didn't offer any of them.

"Guest passes were strictly limited," Charlene lied smoothly. "We couldn't bring anyone else."

"Well, I still could've gone and hung

out at the hotel," Jasmine pointed

out. Then, her eyes widened. "It's

been forever since we all went

ON

trip together!"

The thought made her desperately want to go somewhere far away with both her

parents—a long vacation where they wouldn't have to come back for days.